Mother Cecilia Reelected

Mother Cecilia has been reelected for another term as hegumena (abbess) of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery. Please keep her in your prayers as she continues her leadership in the monastery, caring for administrative matters as well as for the physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing of the nuns.

May God grant her many blessed years!

Mariapoch Pilgrimage, August 15-16

Consider joining us for the Annual Pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch (across the street from the monastery) as we celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. We will be cantoring many of the services and enjoying the company of the pilgrims.  To view the pilgrimage schedule, go to the shrine's webpage and then go to the tab on the left that says "Annual Pilgrimage." In addition, here is our monastery's schedule of Dormition services leading up to the pilgrimage:

Friday, August 14

6:30-9:00 p.m. "All Night" Vigil (Vespers, Matins, Burial Procession; the length is estimated, and feel free to join at any time)

Saturday, August 15

10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy and Blessing of Flowers (you're welcome to bring flowers for the blessing)

Summer Picnic, July 25

You're invited to our Monastery Summer Picnic on Saturday, July 25. We will gather at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch (across the street from our monastery; 17486 Mumford Rd. Burton, Ohio) for Vespers at 4:45 p.m. in the outdoor chapel and then a picnic dinner following at the shrine cafeteria. The event will end at 8:30 p.m. For those who haven't visited the monastery before, we'll be glad to give you a little tour of our monastery and chapel. Please bring your own picnic dinner and beverages. You may also want to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs in case we run out of room at the shrine's picnic tables. RSVP using this link by Monday, July 20, so that we can provide enough booklets for Vespers and notify you if anything changes.  

Please pray for Amy, entering May 20!

On this Great Feast of the Ascension, we joyfully announce the upcoming entrance of Amy MacInnis into our monastic community on May 20! Amy is our first international member, and her entrance is a long-awaited fruit of patience and immigration work! Please keep her in your prayers as she begins her time in the monastery as a dokimos ("one who is proved by testing"), continuing to discern her call here in a deeper way. She will enter fully into our life, as well as participate in the classes, studies and other types of formation given to those in their initial years in the monastery.

Amy MacInnis

Whitby, Ontario, Canada

39 years old

Parish: Protection of the Mother of God Slovak Byzantine Catholic Parish, Oshawa, Ontario

Degrees: MTS (Master in Theological Studies) from Regis College, BA in Philosophy from Tyndale University College, Certificate of Christian Humanities from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy

From her application: Q: In your own words, what is the purpose of monastic life? A: "The purpose of monastic life is to provide those called by the Triune God to the monastery with the environment best suited for them to deepen their relationship with Him. The monastery is a sacred space set apart from the world, yet embedded in its heart (cf. Jn 17:13-18). Monastics embrace the mystery of a “life...hid in Christ with God” (Col 3:3), since the monastery is like leaven hidden in the dough of the world that secretly grows the Kingdom of God (Mt 13:33). Those called to the monastery carry the sinful and suffering world with them; they are drawn out of the world not due to disdain for it, but because they love the LORD and desire to give everything—themselves and the whole world—back to Him. The environment of the monastery, which fosters the giving and receiving of love, is one of poverty, chastity and obedience, aloneness and community, silence and praise, suffering and joy; its soil is humility, the death to self. Those called to the monastery prize God who is Love (1 Jn 4:8) above all else, and prioritize their prayer—their relationship with Him—in this life, as a foretaste of heaven. Their receptivity to Him in the present moment flows into the world for the sake of the Kingdom."

A life lesson on the trampoline!

A reflection by Maddie

Several weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon, a few of the nuns and I went to the home of a family we’re friends with for a couple of hours. Immediately upon arrival, the kids beckoned for Mother Natalia and me to play with them, but feeling obliged to our adult duties, and promising to play later, we went inside to chat with the other adults. The kids had been patient so when they came back to us asking that we jump on the trampoline with them, we agreed. I’m not sure how many of you reading this have been on a trampoline since you were a kid, but as an adult it’s both terrifying and exciting. Especially when the trampoline is on a slight slant, full of children, whom you’re trying not to crush, and two adults. 

After we had played “Crack the Egg,” a timeless classic in trampoline games, and the children had thoroughly mocked me for any fear I had, one of the kids suggested we play the game “Resurrection.” Mother Natalia and I agreed but admitted we were not familiar with the trampoline game-rendition of Resurrection. The kids quickly explained the game to us. One of the kids would be Jesus, while another one would be Satan. The kid playing Satan had to remain on their knees and would have to try and tag all the other people on the trampoline. If Satan tagged us, Jesus could come, touch us, and resurrect us. Satan couldn’t tag Jesus and the only way for Satan to win and end the game was if he or she tagged all of us before Jesus could resurrect us. The only other rule being that we had to stay on the trampoline. As the game commenced, children scattered everywhere and I found myself sliding on the slick surface of the trampoline trying not fall, step on any kids, or get tagged by Satan, while trying to establish a strategy. 

It quickly dawned on me that the best way to success in this game was not just to stay away from Satan, but simply to stay as close as possible to Jesus. As I thought this to myself, I chuckled because of how true this is of the spiritual life as well. It’s not enough to only run away from Satan. We need to be running towards something, Someone. Eventually we’re going to slip, trip, or get cornered and tagged by Satan. Jesus is there to resurrect us from our sin, but we must keep turning to Him, pursuing Him, allowing Him to be our shield. While I may have said this trampoline game was simple, I did not say it was easy and neither is the spiritual life. However, Jesus just wants us to keep trying and allowing Him to touch and heal us. To keep staying near to Him no matter how much we might slip and nearly fall off in doing so. 

“God reveals His victory not only to the strong, but to the faithful”

This homily of Fr. Iuliu-Vasile Muntean from this Sunday of the Myrrhbearers was very beautiful to us, and we wanted to share it with you. Here is a little excerpt:

"What is the stone I am worried about?

What is the act of love Christ is asking of me anyway?

Where am I waiting for guarantees instead of walking forward in fidelity?

The women did not know how the story would unfold.

But they went.

Joseph and Nicodemus did not know how everything would be resolved.

But they acted.

The apostles in Acts did not have a perfect Church.

But they served faithfully.

And Christ, the Bridegroom, met all of them there."

Spring Work Day, May 23

We invite you to join us for a day of outdoor and indoor work projects, prayer, food and fun on Saturday, May 23, at the monastery and the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome! The day begins at 1:00 p.m. and closes with Vespers at 4:45 p.m., followed by a potluck dinner. Come whenever available, and bring a side dish to share if you're staying for dinner. Please RSVP using this form by Monday, May 18, so that the appropriate amount of food can be prepared. Some tools that may be of help to bring: shovels, trowels, work gloves, wheelbarrow, chainsaw, pruning shears (please mark your name on tools).